“Praise ye the Lord. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 150:1a, 6
I’m the type of person that likes to give you a fully researched Word for the Word of the Month. I must include a number of Scriptures, follow my main points and lay it all out. That’s how I write . . . and that’s how I preach. But as I sat at my work desk on Thursday, July 1, 2010, a spirit of praise overwhelmed me and the Lord gave me a simple Word to encourage you today: Praise Ye The Lord!
On this day, I had a lot on my plate. Between my family, government job, web business and church responsibilities, I had a full list of action items to complete. I wasn’t fretting or frustrated, the day was going good, and I knew that I had to get going. So I prayed, turned on my iPod and began to work. I have 500+ songs on my iPod and I generally listen to it on random, but for some reason, it began to play by albums.
The first song I remembered was “Sweet Jesus” by J Moss. The words I love to praise your name, I love to lift you up hit me like a ton of bricks:
Sweet Jesus, when I was lonely
Sweet Jesus, when no one else could understand
Sweet Jesus, when I hit the lowest point
Sweet Jesus, when I had no one else to talk to
Sweet Jesus, it was you the Redeemer
Sweet Jesus, it was you that came to my rescue
In the midst of my cube that I share with six other people . . . when I had a lot of work to do . . . I couldn’t help but lift up my hands and begin to bless the name of the Lord. I got up, ran upstairs and continued to bless His name. He reminded me that He IS sweet and that He has always been there for me and that He was worthy to be praised!
After several other songs passed, I remember hearing “Now Behold the Lamb” by Kirk Franklin. The words the precious Lamb of God, born into sin that I may live again, the precious Lamb of God again stopped me in my tracks:
Holy is the Lamb, the precious Lamb of God
Why you love me so, Lord I shall never know
The precious Lamb of God
New life can begin, for you washed away every one of my sins.
Whom the Son sets free, is truly free indeed
I claim you to be the Lamb of God
For a second time, in the midst of my cube, I had to take another praise break. Tears welled up in my eyes and I had to no option but to bless His holy name. Why you love me so, Lord I’ll never know kept ringing in my ear. Even in the midst of my frailness, He loves me. Not loved in the past tense, but love in the present tense. He again reminded me that He was worthy to be praised!
I guess I had a spirit of praise on that Thursday. “Sweeter” by Lakewood Choir told me that every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. “You Are Holy” by Lisa McClendon reminded me that He IS holy. “Be Exalted” by Marvin Sapp got me singing Lord I love you, Lord I praise you, Lord I life your name on high. I can go on and on as God blessed me to praise Him throughout the day.
In the midst of your long day: while you’re dealing with the kids; while you’re sitting in traffic; while you’re standing in a long line; while you’re dealing with trouble on every hand; or while you’re enjoying a good day, take a praise break and Praise Ye The Lord! He is Holy. He is Righteous. He is Worthy. He deserves ALL the praise. In season, out of season. Bless the name of the Lord, and watch him change your environment, no matter where you are.
I encourage you to Praise Ye The Lord!
Humbly Submitted,
Min. Eugene C. McCown, Jr.
HTC Men's Ministry